Dress form

ABSTRACT

A method and aperture for providing dress forms. The method comprises taping clothes on a model to retain the figure of the model. The taped clothing is then cut and removed fro the model, creating a shell. The shell is fitted around a pillow and placed on a stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is an improved method for creating a dress form used in sewing custom fitted garments, that eliminates fitting problems created when the individual for whom the garments are being created is not available to assist in the fitting. One is also able to successfully fit oneself as well with your own body being right in front of you.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] Typically, when an individual approaches a garment maker to create new clothes for the individual, the garment maker will take the individual's measurements and will write them down. Unfortunately, the way one measures does not always conform to the way one is shaped, and therefore the clothes do not always fit the individual as desired.

[0003] To ensure proper fitting, the individual for whom the clothes are made would have to repeatedly visit the garment maker to try on the clothes. However, this is often time consuming for both the garment maker and for the individual ordering the clothes, because the garment maker will not be able to continue until he/she knows that the clothes fit properly, and he/she will not know that the clothes fit properly until the individual purchasing the clothes can free up his/her schedule to make a trip to the garment maker for repeated fittings.

[0004] A unique and active solution to this fitting problem is to provide a means by which the individual ordering the clothes does not have to be present at the garment maker's location for repeated fittings, and which provides the garment maker with a clone of the individual's body at the garment maker's shop. The garment maker can easily refer to the clone to ensure that the garment will fit properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating a custom dress form. Tight fitting clothing that is worn by the individual for whom the dress form is a clone, hereinafter designated a “model” is taped to retain the model's shape. The taped clothing is then cut along the back side to allow the taped clothing to be removed from the model, thereby producing a shell of the model's body. The tape used in this invention may be duct tape, or any similar adhesive tape.

[0006] The invention further provides a stand for supporting the dress form. The stand includes a rotatable base, an extendable first vertical pipe with one end attached to the rotatable base, a four-way joint with one end connected to the first vertical pipe, at least one horizontal pipe connected to the first vertical pipe through the four-way joint, and a second vertically extending pipe connected to the top end of the four-way joint. The vertical pipe extending above the four-way joint also may function as a holder for sewing apparatus; such as scissors, pens, etc. It protrudes through the neckline and may have a circular pin cushion wrapping around its edges. The horizontal pipes are also extendable in one embodiment to accommodate models of varying shoulder width. The base may be comprised of plastic, wood or any other suitable material. Additionally, the pipes may be plastic as well.

[0007] The invention further provides a method for adapting a polyester-filled pillow or the like having an outer shell for use with the dress form. A first slit is cut in the first side of the pillow shell and runs the entire length of the seamed edge along the first side. A second slit is cut in the second or opposite side of the pillow shell at about 3 or 4 inches. A tunnel is then created inside the poly-filled pillow core by making a center tunnel connecting the first slit with the second slit.

[0008] The invention providing a method for creating a dress form in the disclosed embodiment comprises the following steps: The outer surface of a tight fitting garment is taped over while being worn by the model. The taping process starts by taking strips in various lengths that are tape torn in half lengthwise. Then some of the longer half strips are positioned at the waist, hips, under bust, over bust and armholes. This secures the base garment snugly against the body to assure accuracy in shape and measurements. After the base garment is secured, the taping process then begins below the waist in the front and back. The taping process then proceeds up the back, then the shoulders and top of the arms continuing around the bust and front chest. Lastly, the sections of the upper abdomen and up to about two inches of the neckline are taped at the end to make the base garment more comfortable in ease and in breathing. A special shaping process of cutting smaller strips that are torn in half are placed around all the curved portions of the body in an overlapping fashion. Curved areas include the crotch, high hip, stomach, armholes, bustline, neckline and all other areas of roundness and protrusion. Taping will proceed with two layers or more for reinforcement for areas needing more support; such as under the bustline and armholes. The model is marked with all the design lines like natural waistline, arms, neckline, shoulderline, center front, bust points, bustline, hipline, and princess lines. The lines are marked by using implements such as marker pens, drafting tape, auto-pinstriping or ribbon. A flexible ruler is used in the rounded areas such as armholes and neckline. In the case of the model being taped for a torso or form with legs, a tight fitted pair of paints provides the base. The taped garment is then cut up the back and removed from the model, thereby creating a shell of the model's torso. A stand, which may be rotatable, is created upon which a prepared pillow is placed. The shell is then wrapped around the pillow and the combination provides a sturdy dress form. The method of the present invention also provides steps for creating the sleeve portions of the dress form by substantially filling the sleeves of the garment with batting cut to the measurements of the arms of the model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of one form of a stand for practicing the method according to the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of a pillow used to practice the invention according to the invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the pillow placed on the stand as described by the invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a front view of a shell wrapped around the pillow on the stand as described by the invention;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a sleeve section and accompanying stuffing being added to the shell in the sleeve section;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a top view of the base according to the invention; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a side view of a shell wrapped around a model's leg as described by the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0017] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0018] In one embodiment of the dress form fabrication method, an individual, or model for whom the dress form is intended to be constructed wears tight fitting clothing, such as a tight long-sleeve turtleneck shirt, over the torso. Tape 36 (FIG. 4) is applied to the model's torso by wrapping the tape over the shirt, such that the tape adheres to the shirt. The sleeves 42 are not taped, with the exception of where the sleeve 42 meets a shoulder. It is contemplated that the taping is performed by an assistant or “builder,” using duct tape or any equivalent adhesive tape material.

[0019] Once taping of the torso of the model has been completed, the builder cuts a vertical slit up the center of the back 40 of the taped form, cutting through the tape and the shirt. It is important at this stage that the duct tape 36 properly adheres to the shirt, so that when the form is removed, the duct tape 36 and the shirt are a single unit. When the shirt with the duct tape 36 attached is removed from the model's torso, a shell 34 (FIG. 4) of the model's torso is created.

[0020] Once the shell 34 is created, the shell 34 is placed on a stand 10 over a polyester, or like material, filled pillow 22, as will be described. The stand 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) is comprised a first vertically extending longitudinal pipe 14, and a second vertically extending longitudinal pipe 16 moveably disposed inside the first longitudinal pipe 14. A rotatable grip 17 releases to allow pipe 16 to be moved to a desired height, and then tightens to hold pipe 16 in its set position. The first longitudinal pipe 14 is mounted on the base 19. In one embodiment of the invention, the base 19 is placed on top of a rotatable platform to enable the model to rotate the dress form during the tape application process, and while using the dress form upon its completion. Pipe 14 may also be attached to the base 19 by way of a bracket, a hinge, or any other equivalent structure known to someone skilled in the art. At the upper end of the second longitudinal pipe 16 opposite the base 19, a four-way connector joint 18 is secured. At least one horizontally extending pipe 20 is connected to the second longitudinal pipe 16 through the horizontal end of the four-way connector joint 18, creating a T-frame. If desired, a second longitudinal pipe 23 may be inserted into the remaining vertical aperture of the four-way connector joint 18 to extend the height of the stand 10. Pipe 23 has an open top and a closed bottom to the pipe which is inserted in the four-way connector and acts as a holder for sewing supplies, and pin cushion 56. Extendable rods 25, 27 are movably inserted into apertures 29 at the outer end of each horizontal pipe 20. A rotatable gripping device 31 alternatively locks each rod 25, 27 in its respective aperture 29, or releases each rod for horizontal movement relative to pipe 20. By moving rods 25, 27 horizontally, the stand 10 can be customized to fit the shoulder width of different models.

[0021] A poly or foam filled formable pillow 22 having a first end 24 and a second end 26 is shown in FIG. 2. At the first end 24 of the pillow 22, a first slit 28 is made such that the first slit 28 runs the full lateral width of the first end 24. At the second end 26 of the pillow 22, a second slit 30 is made such that the second slit 30 runs only for a few inches located in the center of the second end 26. Once the slits 28 and 30 are made in the first end 24 of the pillow 22 and the second end 26 of the pillow 22, a tunnel 32 is formed inside the pillow 22 extending from the first end 24 of the pillow 22 to the second end 26 of the pillow 22 by removing an appropriate amount of foam from inside the pillow 22 to create tunnel 32.

[0022] After the tunnel 32 has been made in the pillow 22, the pillow is placed over the T-frame of the stand 10 (as shown in FIG. 3) such that the first slit 28 along the first end 24 of the pillow 22 is directly over the base 12 of the stand 10, and the second slit 30 along the second end 26 of the pillow 22 is positioned near the four-way joint 18 such that the end 26 of the pillow is supported by pipes 20 and/or rods 27, 29. When placing the foam filled pillow 22 with tunnel 32 over the T-frame of stand 10, wide opening 24 of the pillow is advanced over pipes 16 and 17, which extend into tunnel 32 as pillow 22 is moved downward. At this juncture, pipe 23 is removed from pipe joint 18. Simultaneously, horizontal pipe 20, which is attached to pipe 16 is advanced between the foam in the casing of pillow 22 and the interior of the casing until the interior top portion of the casing rests on horizontally extending pipe 20. If necessary, pipe 23 is attached to pipe 16 by threading or otherwise fixing pipe 23 to joint 18. Where the model has broad shoulders, rods 25, 27 are moved laterally outward until it reaches the desired measurement from armpit to armpit in the lateral sides of the casing of pillow 22. Rods 25, 27 are then locked in place by rotating gripping device 31.

[0023] Shell 34 is gripped along the edges of the slit formed in the back of the shell, and opened to allow placement of the shell over the pillow 22 mounted on stand 10. The pillow 22 creates a foundation that supports the shell 34. A filling material, such as cotton, foam, or any other suitable material may be inserted into or over the pillow 22 to shape the pillow 22 to the size of the shell 34. If required, a brassier may be placed over the pillow 22 in order to further shape the pillow 22 to the dimensions of the shell 34. The brassier is then stuffed and filled out to its desired shape.

[0024] Once the pillow 22 is properly placed onto the stand, more polyester fill is then stuffed over the pillow shell where needed to fill in any discrepancies between the pillow and the taped dressform working from the neck on downwards. Then the back 40 of the shell 34 is sealed together, by using tape or any other suitable known attachment elements, so that the shell 34 fully wraps around the pillow 22 in a seamless manner.

[0025] After the back 40 (FIG. 4) of the shell 34 is sealed, the arms 42 of the clothing are stuffed to conform to the measurements of the arms of the model.

[0026] As the shell 34 is mounted over pillow 22 on stand 10, arms 42, 44 (FIG. 4) of the turtleneck shirt described previously extend outward. To begin the process of stuffing the arms, as described in relation to just one of the two arms, a measurement is made from the shoulder to the elbow of the model. The circumference of the top bicep as expanded when pressed against the body of the model is measured, as well as the circumference of the bicep just above the elbow. The distance from the elbow to the wrist is measured, as well as the circumference of the forearm under the elbow and the circumference of the wrist.

[0027] After these measurements of the model have been taken, two portions of formable polyester quilt batting, or similar material, are each cut to the length of the shoulder to elbow measurement of the model. The batting portions are each rolled up until they are substantially the same as the bicep dimensions of the arms. The rolled up batting is then wrapped with duct tape in the illustrative embodiment, or with any known suitable material.

[0028] Two additional portions of polyester quilt batting, or other suitable material, are each cut to the length of the elbow to wrist measurement of the model. The additional portions of batting are then rolled up to the dimension of the circumference of the forearm under the elbow, and the circumference of the wrist of the model. The rolled up additional portions of batting are then wrapped with duct tape, or other equivalent material. At this point, two rolled batting portions have been assembled for each arm, a lower batting portion 46 and an upper batting portion 48 (FIG. 5). Each sleeve 42, 44 of the turtleneck shirt is rolled up, and the upper batting portion 48 is inserted into the arm hole in each of the sleeves 42, 44. The lower end of each of the upper batting portions 48 is cut at approximately forty five degree angle (45°) at the point adjacent the elbow either before being inserted into a respective sleeve 42, 44, or after being inserted in a sleeve which has been rolled up past the elbow. The same principle is used when sculpting the lower thigh and upper calf shape of the knee joint for the legs, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0029] The top of each lower batting portion 46 is cut at an angle of forty-five degrees (45°), and a section of the center is cutout bringing an indentation so that it can be inserted into the outer edge of the T-Stand. Each batting portion is inserted into respective sleeves 42, 44, which have been rolled down. The two forty-five degree angled portions of upper batting portions 48 and lower batting portions 46 meet approximately at the elbow of each respective sleeve 42, 44, and the arms can then be bent.

[0030] After the stuffing and batting insertion is complete, the T-frame 10 with the shell 34 remaining in place is removed from the base 19. A piece of cardboard 38 (FIG. 6), or other suitable stiffened material, with an aperture 50 cut in the center is placed on the first longitudinal pipe 14 and moved upward into a position where the cardboard 38 meets the bottom 52 of the shell 34. The cardboard 38 is secured in place and cut to shape along line 54 to match the bottom of the shell 34. The cardboard is then taped or otherwise attached to the bottom of shell 34 to form a bottom for the shell and for the dress form. The shell 34 and the T-frame 10 are then placed back onto the base 19, resulting in a dress mannequin that is a clone of the model.

[0031] Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiments of the invention. However, it must be understood that these particular products, and their method of manufacture, do not limit but merely illustrate, and that the invention is to be given its fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims. 

1. A method for creating a dress form corresponding to the outer torso and arms of a model, comprising the steps of: a) forming a shell corresponding to the shape of the outer torso of said model; and b) placing the shell over a formable support structure, the formable support structure occupying the volume of space interior of said shell.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of: placing formable material into a pair of arm sleeves forming part of said torso shell, each said arm shell corresponding to the shape of a respective arm portion of said model.
 3. The method of claim 1 where the step of forming a shell corresponding to the shape of the outer torso of the model comprises: a) placing a substantially tight fitting garment over the torso of said model; b) wrapping the exterior of said garment with an adhesive-backed tape; c) placing design lines onto the dresform; d) removing the shell comprising the taped garment from the torso of the model.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of removing the shell includes the step of forming a slit at a rear portion of said shell, said slit extending the length of the rear portion of the shell.
 5. The method of claim 4 including the additional step of opening said shell by separating the rear portion and widening the space formed by the slit to remove the shell from the torso of the model.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the formable support structure comprises a casing filled with deformable resilient material.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the casing is a pillow casing.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the deformable resilient material is a deformable foam or polyester material.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said formable support structure comprises a stand being variably extendable in a vertical direction to accommodate models of varying heights.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said stand is variably extendable in the horizontal direction to accommodate models of varying shoulder width.
 11. The method of claim 3 wherein the garment includes hollow sleeve elements extending from respective shoulders of said garment.
 12. The method of claim 11 including the steps of measuring certain dimensions of the arms of the model, and providing batting material formed substantially in the shape of each arm of the model.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said batting material is inserted inside the respective hollow sleeve elements of said garment, forming clones of the arms of the model.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein a first batting material in the upper portion of each sleeve is cut at a forty five degree angle where it attaches at the arm joint and at a location adjacent the elbow of said sleeve, and a second batting material in the lower portion of each sleeve is cut at a forty five degree angle adjacent the elbow of the sleeve; each of said angled portions of said batting material facing each other adjacent the elbow of each respective sleeve, providing each respective sleeve with the ability to pivot at the elbow.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein an indentation is cut out of the center of the filling at the top of the sleeve so that it lodges in the edge of the shoulder portion of the T-stand.
 16. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing a substantially solid support element formed in the shape of the bottom of said shell, and fastening said support element inside said shell at a location beneath the formable support structure.
 17. A kit for constructing a customized dress form corresponding to the torso and arms of a model comprising: a stand assembly comprising vertical and horizontal adjustable pipe assemblies, each pipe assembly having the ability to be selectively lengthened or shortened to construct a dress form for models of varying sizes; a pipe joint adapted to mount on said vertical pipe assembly to support said horizontal pipe assembly; a rotatable stand adapted to attach to and support said vertical pipe assembly; adhesive backed tape adapted to be wrapped around a sleeved garment worn over the torso of a model; and batting material adapted to be shaped and inserted into a sleeve of the garment.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a vertical pipe protruding up thru the center of the neck which is adjoined to the four0way joint acts as a holder for various sewing implements.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a surrounding pin cushion encapsulating the sewing implement holder.
 20. A method for creating a dress form corresponding to the outer torso and arms of a model, comprising the steps of: a) forming a shell corresponding to the shape of the outer torso of the model by wrapping adhesive backed tape substantially around the entire torso portion of a snugly fitting garment worn by the model; b) marking design lines onto the taped torso using an elastic, flexible ruler and other marking implements; c) forming a slit from the top to the bottom of the rear portion of said shell; and d) opening said shell and removing said shell from said model.
 21. The method of claim 17 comprising the further steps of: a) providing a formable support structure mounted on a stand; b) placing the shell over the formable support structure; c) closing the shell along said slit and fastening the adjacent ends of the shell forming the slit together to maintain the shell in place over the formable material.
 22. The method of claim 18 comprising the further steps of: a) forming a first batting material into substantially the shape of each of the upper arms of the model; b) forming a second batting material into substantially the shape of each of the lower arms of the model; c) placing each said first batting material into sleeves formed on said garment, each said first batting material extending from the shoulder to the elbow of each said sleeve; d) placing each said second batting material into said sleeves, said second batting material extending from the elbow to the wrist of each said sleeve e) forming a third batting material into a thigh to the measurements and shape of the model's leg; f) forming a third batting material into a calf to the measurements and shape of the model's leg; g) placing each said third and forth batting into said legs, and inserting the calf first to the bottom of the leg and then inserting the thigh last.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein each said first batting material is cut at an angle at a lower end thereof, and each said second batting material is cut at an angle at a top end thereof, said angled portions of each of said first and second batting materials facing each other at the elbow of each respective sleeve, providing the sleeves of said garment to pivot at the elbow.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of providing a formable support structure comprises the steps of: a) providing a foam or poly filled pillow-like structure having a casing surrounding said foam; b) forming a first opening at one end of said casing, said opening extending substantially across the width of said casing; c) forming a second opening in the opposite end of said casing, said second opening being shorter in length than said first opening; d) forming a tunnel through said foam, said tunnel extending from said second opening to said first opening of said casing; and e) mounting said poly or foam filled pillow-like structure on said stand.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of mounting said foam filled pillow-like structure on said stand comprises the steps of: a) advancing a vertical pipe forming part of said stand through said tunnel and said first and second slits in said casing; b) advancing a horizontally extending pipe, which is attached to said vertical pipe, between said foam in said casing and the interior of said casing until the top of said casing comprising said second slit is resting on said horizontally extending pipe.
 26. The method of claim 21 wherein prior to the step of mounting said foam-filled pillow-like structure on said stand; a) forming a rigid flat bottom support element having an outline shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom configuration of said shell; b) forming an aperture in said rigid flat bottom support element; c) placing said rigid flat bottom support element on said stand by extending a vertical pipe comprising said stand through said aperture; and d) fixing said rigid flat bottom support element to the bottom of said shell after said shell is placed over said formable support structure.
 27. A dress form conforming to the shape of an individual model comprising: a) a stand mounted on a rotatable support; b) said stand comprising a first extendable vertical pipe and a second horizontal pipe attached to said vertical pipe, said horizontal pipe extending in opposite directions away from said vertical pipe, the top vertical pipe acts as a holder for sewing tools; c) a formable support structure mounted on said stand over said vertical and horizontal pipes; d) a shell mounted on said formable support structure, said shell comprising a garment and tape combination that corresponds to the outer shape of the torso of the individual model; said shell being in substantial contact with said formable support structure.
 28. The dress form of claim 27 wherein: a) said garment includes a pair of sleeves; b) each sleeve having batting material inserted therein, said batting material corresponding to the shape of the upper and lower arm portions of said individual model; c) said dress form may include a pair of legs, each with a calf and thigh of said batting material. 